People are often looking for a simple solution to the problems they face in life.
This short story, written by Portia Nelson, remains one of the easiest to understand metaphors I have ever seen.
It has such profound implications for those who decide to make application
of the powerful truth it contains.
Chapter I I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out.
Chapter II I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter III I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in … it’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter IV I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter V I walk down another street.